How long does Gairbeinn from Melgarve take?

Most walkers take 2–3 hours for the 5.5 km route, which has 550 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.

Where does the walk start, and where can I park?

It starts at Melgarve, General Wade's Military Road (grid reference NN 467 959). Park considerately off the road; don't block gates, passing places or farm tracks.

Can I get there by public transport?

Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.

It's graded moderate. Largely pathless hillside: rough, steep and boggy in places.

Steven Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Melgarve Moderate

Gairbeinn from Melgarve

Bagging route Corbett Out and back

An 896 m Corbett in Monadh Liath & Creag Meagaidh, climbed from Melgarve over largely pathless ground.

Distance: 5.5 km
Ascent: 550 m
Time: 2–3 h
Grade: Moderate
Route: Out and back
High point: 896 m

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Offline navigation is coming in the TRXO app. Hear when it launches.

Route mapped on 24 Oct 2026 from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on 23 Oct 2026. For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.

About this walk

Gairbeinn from Melgarve is a moderate 5.5 km out-and-back walk with 550 m of ascent, taking 2 to 3 hours. It starts at Melgarve, General Wade's Military Road (grid reference NN 467 959). It climbs Gairbeinn (896 m), a Corbett.

At 896 m (2,938 ft), Gairbeinn is one of the Corbetts of Monadh Liath & Creag Meagaidh, standing 8 km north of Carn Liath.

This route starts from Melgarve, General Wade's Military Road and crosses a lot of pathless hillside, so you'll need to navigate with a map and compass.

Great views Dog friendly

Route

1
The approach

From Melgarve, head across the hillside towards Gairbeinn.
2
The summit

Climb to the summit of Gairbeinn.
3
Return

Return the same way.

Summit

Gairbeinn

896 m

Corbett Marilyn

Plan your day

Start Pace Day

Time needed: 2 h 35 min
Back by: 11:35
Sunset: …
Turn back by: …

Based on Naismith's rule plus short breaks. Allow extra in winter or poor weather.

A link with the route, your start time and when you expect to be back, to send to someone at home.

Summit forecast

–

Forecast at Gairbeinn summit (896 m). Always check a mountain forecast too.

Getting there

Start: Melgarve, General Wade's Military Road
Grid ref: NN 467 959
Parking: Park considerately off the road; don't block gates, passing places or farm tracks.

Directions to start

Bothies and hostels nearby

Luib Chonnal Bothy · 7.7 km
Blackburn of Corrieyairack Bothy · 11 km

Distances are from the start. Check with whoever runs it before relying on one.

Terrain

Largely pathless hillside: rough, steep and boggy in places.

Bog factor

Suitable for dogs.

Access & seasonal notes

Deer stalking takes place on these hills from mid-August to October. Stick to the main paths and check Heading for the Scottish Hills before you go.

Land and access

In Scotland you have a right of responsible access to most land, including the hills, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Take responsibility for your own actions, and respect people's privacy and peace of mind.
Help land managers do their job: follow reasonable advice about lambing, deer stalking, tree felling and shooting.
Keep dogs under proper control, on a short lead near livestock and in the bird breeding season (April to July).
Leave no trace: take all your litter home.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

What to take

Weather on the tops can be far worse than in the valley, and navigation is hard in cloud. Expect winter conditions from October to May.

Nothing out of the ordinary, so the usual kit below.

✓Map and compass (and know how to use them)
✓Waterproof jacket and trousers
✓Warm layer, hat and gloves, even in summer
✓Food, water and a head torch
✓Charged phone; register for emergency SMS (text 'register' to 999)

Hill safety guide

Questions about this walk

How long does Gairbeinn from Melgarve take?: Most walkers take 2–3 hours for the 5.5 km route, which has 550 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
Where does the walk start, and where can I park?: It starts at Melgarve, General Wade's Military Road (grid reference NN 467 959). Park considerately off the road; don't block gates, passing places or farm tracks.
Can I get there by public transport?: Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
How hard is it?: It's graded moderate. Largely pathless hillside: rough, steep and boggy in places.
Which hill does it climb?: Gairbeinn (896 m, Corbett).
Can I take my dog?: Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Deer stalking takes place on these hills from mid-August to October. Stick to the main paths and check Heading for the Scottish Hills before you go.

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